Influenza

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) - Influenza A & B

Zanamivir (Relenza) - Influenza A & B Cannot use in Asthmatics and COPD patients.

Amantadine – Influenza A – Not to use in those with seizures, dementia or over 65 years.

Flu scenarios.

Nursing home finds that 3 residents have a Flu like illness. One is confirmed to have Influenza B. What are you going to do?

A child care preschool that has children ranging from 6 month olds to 5 year olds find out that one of its workers has Influenza. What should you do?

The hospital discovers 2 nurses have Influenza. What should be done? For patients, for nurses, for Doctors?

Anti - Influenza agents include drugs & vaccines – vaccines are of 2 types – live attenuated (Nasal spray) and Inactivated vaccine (IM).

Differnces b/w the two are as follows: Live vaccine can only be used in those who are HEALTHY & are between 5-50 years of age.

If live vaccine is used, person should not come in contact with anyone who is immunocompromised for 7 days after receiving the vaccine.

All 6-23 months. Household contacts of those 0-23 months.

No vaccine for egg allergy, acute febrile illness until symptoms gone but those with minor illness should be vaccinated even if they have mild fever.

In those who are 6 months to 9 years, 2 doses, 1 month apart are used.

Influenza is seen in the southern hemisphere in our summertime (April-Sep).

Since we have recently faced years of vaccine shortage, we must know who should be given priority for being vaccinated?

Anyone over 65 years old

Anyone with HIV or other immune disorder.

Pt. on chronic immunosuppressants and chemo.

Pt.s with COPD

All between 6 - 24 months

Diabetics

Heart failure patients.